Fireonline - Fire Risk Assessment Guide 2007
FIRE
RISK ASSESSMENT
Fireonline has produced the following information as a guide to your fire risk assessment, as required by the Fire Precautions (workplace) regulations 1997. We recommend that it be completed in conjunction with reading the full regulations as detailed in the publication "Fire Precautions in the workplace". This can be read online Fire Safety in the Work Place.
Summary
A complete set of forms to assist in undertaking fire
risk assessments is included in this pack.
Introduction (A) - This sheet, an introduction to fire risk assessment
Guide (B) - Guidance notes for undertaking the assessment
Ratings (C) - How to generate a risk rating, with examples
Overview (D) - Summary analysis form
Detailed (E) - Detailed analysis form
These forms should be used when completing all new fire risk assessments and when reviewing existing assessments. They are available to photocopy or print as required.
(A) Introduction
When a fire occurs in the workplace there is a risk that
the fire will trap or injure people as they attempt to escape. In every
workplace a fire risk assessment must now be carried out. The purpose of this
assessment is to identify where fires may start and the consequences in terms
of possible injury to anyone who may be affected by that fire, either directly
or during the subsequent evacuation.
Legislation
The Fire Precautions Act 1971 covers
the requirement for fire certificates for certain buildings, the Fire
Precautions (Workplace) Regulations 1997, made under that Act, place an absolute duty on every employer to comply with the
Regulations in all work premises (including temporary structures). The
Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 require a risk
assessment to be carried out to identify any measures required by the Fire
Precautions Regulations. These Regulations mean that all workplaces may be
subject to an inspection by the Fire Authority.
Responsibilities
Those appointed responsible for
Health and Safety should satisfy themselves that risks to health and safety
arising within their sphere of control are properly assessed and controlled so
far as is reasonably practicable. Competent persons should conduct fire risk
assessments, and a register of assessments should be compiled and maintained.
Administration / Record Keeping
All original fire risk assessments should be signed by
the person compiling the assessment, and should be retained with existing fire
certificates for inspection by the authorities if required.
Fireonline Fire Risk Assessment Guide page 2
(B) GUIDE NOTES - Important note
All of the significant combustible materials within a
building should be identified and their hazards assessed. Special attention should
be made to those materials, which are easily ignited such as large quantities
of paper, contents of waste bins, flammable liquids or other materials or
powders. Some potential fire hazards are easily identified and may be obvious,
particularly where heat or flames are already involved (welding, driers, ovens
etc.). Others, because naked flames are not directly involved, can be easily
overlooked. There are many sources of ignition, including flames, sparks,
electricity, frictional heat, electrostatic discharge, direct heat, spontaneous
combustion, and oxidation, as well as arson which in itself is still one of the
most common causes of fires.
Step 1 Identify the Hazards
Assess the fire risks; consider sources of ignition, combustible material and
structural features that could promote the spread of fire.
Check that a fire can be detected in a reasonable time and that people can be
warned.
Check that people who may be in the building at the time can get out safely.
Ensure that reasonable fire fighting equipment, of the correct type, is
available.
Check that those in the building know what to do in the event of a fire.
Check that the fire safety equipment is correctly located and maintained.
Where hazards are identified steps should be taken to reduce the risks by removing or reducing the ignition sources and quantities of combustible materials. To reduce the risk to people there should be adequate fire escape routes, fire detection, alarms and fire fighting equipment. There is little you can do about the structure of the premises but take note of any ducting, which is not adequately sealed, or fire doors that are broken. Take steps to rectify these matters.
Step 2 Estimate the Risk
With this information a risk
assessment can be produced using the fire risk assessment ratings (C), and
forms (D and E), to identify and record the level of risk within the workplace.
Estimate the likely risk and the consequences should a fire occur using the
guidance given in (C), and then calculate the overall risk rating. Where there
are several areas with similar hazards, the summary form (D) can be used in
conjunction with form (E). This process will allow an overall assessment of the
building or area to be given on the summary assessment form, whilst identifying
specific risks in individual workplaces using the more detailed form (D).
Step 3 Further Actions
Once completed, the person carrying out the assessment
should sign the fire risk assessment forms. Where a risk
rating higher than Low has been identified appropriate action must be
instigated to reduce risks as low as practicable.
Step 4 Review the Assessment
Assessments must be reviewed if
there is any significant change to the workplace or its use; it is also good
practice to review assessments regularly to ensure their continued validity. Do
not amend the assessment for every trivial change, but if a new task or
procedure is introduced into the work area consider the effects it may have on
existing assessments. Each time the assessment is reviewed, the appropriate
section of the form should be completed.
Fireonline Fire Risk Assessment Guide page 3
(C) RISK RATINGS
In order for a subjective risk
analysis to be made, consideration should be given to identifying the hazards,
establishing the likelihood of an ignition occurring and determining the
consequences of a fire (harm caused, duration of interruption and financial
loss).
|
Risk - X 1 Minimal |
Consequences Y 1 Negligible |
X x Y = RISK RATING (Z) - Multiply the values together to get the Risk Rating (Z)
Z = 1- 4
|
LOW MEDIUM HIGH EXTREME |
Low risk, probably no action needed Reduce the risk and increase awareness. Provide alarm and/or automatic fire extinguishing equipment Very urgent, evacuate this area until a major reduction in the risk rating has been achieved. |
Risk X
This rating takes into account the
possibility of a fire occurring. Consideration is given to identifying any
combustible materials, and the possible ignition sources. These ratings may
vary for specific hazards such as arson, which will make most scenarios high
risk.
X = 1 Minimal: (Very low combustible materials, no obvious source of
ignition)
X = 2 Low: (Some combustible materials, no obvious source of ignition)
X = 3 Possible: (Amounts of combustible materials, possible sources of
ignition)
X = 4 Likely: (A large source of combustible materials, likely sources of
ignition)
X = 5 High: (Large source of combustible materials and/or multiple sources
of ignition)
The consequences - Y
This takes account of installed
protection, the training of staff in appropriate procedures (especially those
associated with the proper use of the installed safeguards) and overall
management support and control.
Y = 1 Negligible: (Virtually no damage, very localised)
Y = 2 Slight: (Limited damage, no risk to life safety)
Y = 3 Moderate: (Some fire and smoke damage, possibility of fire spread,
controlled danger)
Y = 4 Severe: (Likely fire or smoke spread, potential danger to
personnel and property
Y = 5 Major: (Probable building loss, significant and immediate danger
to personnel)
Example
|
Area |
Hazard |
X |
Y |
XxY = Z |
Risk Rating |
|
Disposal stores |
Packaging materials |
3 |
4 |
12 |
HIGH |
Fireonline Fire Risk Assessment Guide page 4
FIRE RISK ASSESSMENT SUMMARY FORM
Building/Location:
..
.
Room No |
Use |
Specific Risk: (solvents, Flammable materials, gases, hazardous operations) |
Detector Type: |
Extinguisher Type: Water, Co2, Powder, Foam, SP, SU |
Risk Rating |
||
X |
Y |
Z |
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Prepared By .................... |
SP = Sprinkler Unit |
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Date ................. |
SU = Suppression Unit |
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X = Risk |
Y = Consequence |
Z = Risk Rating |
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Reviewed By |
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Date |
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Fireonline Fire Risk Assessment Guide page 5
FIRE RISK ASSESSMENT DETAILED FORM
SITE ADDRESS...................................................................................................
Area assessed by this Form:.....................................................................
Numbers of staff in areas:................................................................................ .
Possible numbers of visitors in area:............................................................... ..
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Specific Hazards Identified: (Flammable materials, sources of ignition)
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Means of Raising Alarm and Escape: (Fire detectors, escape routes)
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Fire fighting Equipment: (Sizes and types of extinguisher, fire sprinklers, automatic suppression)
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Control Measures
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Assessment
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Reviewed by: |
Date: |